Kits are available for the Catch a Falling Leaf Shawl
or
Get 20% off when you sign up to my newsletter

There is an old saying that if you can catch a falling leaf in Autumn you can keep colds at bay until Spring. Another saying is if you want a lucky year ahead then try to catch a dozen leaves as superstition says that a month of good fortune will follow for every one you gather.

Now I don’t know about you, but I have tried to catch a falling leaf many times and it’s incredibly difficult to do! So I thought, instead of trying to catch them, why not knit them instead?

The Catch a Falling Leaf shawl is asymmetric in shape and alternates bands of simple stockinette with leaf-shaped lace. The lacy leaf pattern cuts through the solid stockinette just like leaves dancing against the sky. And as they fall towards the border of the shawl they gather like a bed of crisp leaves scattered on the forest floor. So even if you don’t manage to catch a falling leaf, you can wrap yourself up in a cozy warm shawl to keep the colds at bay instead!

The sample shawl was knitted with Heartspun, a beautiful eco-friendly yarn made from 70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool and 30% Tencel, a sustainable fibre made from wood-pulp which adds a lovely sheen and strength to the yarn, much like silk. The yarn is soft to the touch and a joy to knit with. To find out more about the yarn visit: https://www.woollychicdesigns.co.uk/product/heartspun-4pl...

Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, knit, purl, kfb, yo, k2tog, sl2tog-k1-psso

Sizes – One size

Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 75” (190.5cm) and a depth of 21.5” (54.5cm)

Materials

• 100g / 3.5oz, 459 yds / 420m 4ply / fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern is Heartspun British Eco Yarn – 70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool / 30% Tencel in the Sky Blue colourway (dyed by Under the Olive Tree Knits)
• 1 x US size 5 (3.75mm) 32” - 40” (80-100cm) circular needle
• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 22 stitches and 33 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking

The pattern has been tech edited and test knitted prior to publication. Here’s what the test knitters had to say about this pattern:

Pattern Testimonials

“Very pretty shawl—lace is easy enough for an advanced beginner to do. The first time though the lace I used markers but by the end I didn’t need them. The repeats were easy enough to follow with or without markers. Well written as usual” – Pat

“Another superb pattern from Jem. Detailed, row by row instructions make this pattern extremely easy to follow and will give less experience knitters confidence in tackling a lace pattern” – Fiona

“A lovely finished shawl especially with the lace finishing and was a joy to knit” – Nicola

“Catch a Falling Leaf is a lovely one skein pattern that combines stockinette with a pretty lace leaf pattern that looks complex but is quite easy to achieve. This pattern would be perfect for a confident beginner who is ready to try lace made with simple yarn-overs and decreases. There is, as always, Jem’s helpful Row and Stitch tracker! This pattern was thoughtfully test knitted so that the knitter pick up your needles and enjoy and can be assured the pattern is well written and free of errors” Sharon

“My shawl came out lovely and I’m soo pleased with the results! The lace is absolutely beautiful and I’m once again super- happy with one of Jem Arrowsmith’s shawl patterns!” Megan